Karst Management Research Articles

Water quality of Pulejajar Underground River, Karst of Gunung Sewu as the basis of karst management

Karst area has a crucial role in providing water resource. However, due to the intrisic characteristic, water resource in the karst area is highly susceptible to the pollution and relatively hard to manage because the complexity of the aquifer. Karst of Gunung Sewu as one of the main karst area in Indonesia has abundant water resource inside the cave but the utilization is very limited due to the technical constraint to lift the water and distribute it. One the main water resources in Karst of Gunung Sewu is the Pulejajar Underground River at Jepitu Village. As one of the main water resource, a management to maintain its water quality is very important. We examine the water quality of the Pulejajar Underground River and study the factors that affect it. We employ water sampling using purposive sampling in 4 locations and analyze it using Pollution Index (PI) calculation and view the spatial context of the underground river using GIS tool. As the result the PI for the sampling location consists of lighlty polluted in the water intake and the small junction of the Pulejajar Underground River and heavily polluted in the big junction and the Puring Spring. The pollution comes from the Calcium and E. Coli parameter which originates from the dissolution of limestone and the feces of the livestock because the poor filtration at the karst area. The management strategies suppose to comply with the SDGs number 6 as the main framework dan must cover the both side of human side and the nature side including land cover management, water accessibility, and conservation of the catchment area.

Potential Areas of Land Subsidence in Karst Landscape: Case Study in Ponjong and Semanu District, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Sinkhole is a depression of the land surface, causing hazardous effects on the karst landscape. Land subsidence is a phenomenon of sinkhole formation due to karstification. Land subsidence associated with any of the existing evaporite-karst sinkholes Land subsidence is a gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth’s surface, which can be very dangerous as it relates to life on the surface and infrastructure planning. Ponjong and Semanu District, Gunungkidul Regency, are included in the Gunung Sewu Karst area, with landscapes highly influenced by the karstification process. Decision-makers need increasing attention to make assessments also mitigation on karst management. This study aims to determine the potential areas of land subsidence caused by natural factors in the karst landscape in the Ponjong and Semanu District, Gunungkidul Regency using integrated geospatial technology. For making some maps, we initially need a process from SRTM. Land Surface Temperature map, The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) map, slope map, and geological map are integrated into a GIS platform using the scoring and matrix then the overlay method. Descriptive spatial analysis of potential subsidence area is based on land surface temperature, vegetation factor, slope inclination, and geological formation related to altitude. The results show that approximately 80 percent of Ponjong and Semanu District places are high potential land subsidence areas. Policymakers can use this distribution of the potential regions of land subsidence as essential spatial planning in Gunungkidul Karst, especially in Ponjong and Semanu district.

Cave and karst management at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Cave and karst management at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Why are Allogenic Watersheds not Protected (Again)?

<p><em>Allogenic recharge generally contributes to the formation of the main underground river system in a karst area. However, allogenic recharge have a higher susceptibility to contamination than autogenic recharge. This is because recharge from allogenic rivers enters the underground river system without undergoing filtration by soil or rock cavities. This paper discusses changes to ministerial regulations related to karst management that have led to the exclusion of allogenic river areas from the management of allogenic rivers, examines the urgency of managing allogenic rivers, and recommends future management of karst areas from the perspective of water resources management. The change in the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) regulation regarding karst management has led to a simplification of the scope related to the main tasks and functions of the Ministry of ESDM. This should be followed by making changes to regulations that are higher than the ministerial level regulations so that the management objectives stated in the previous regulation can be covered and there is holistic management of the karst area.</em></p>

KARST CHARACTERISTICS AND GOVERNANCE MEASURES IN KUNMING METRO LINE 4

The geological conditions of Dianchi Basin are complex, and soluble rocks are distributed in many parts of the basin and the edge of the basin. The Karst problem is prominent and has a great influence on metro. The investigation of Karst in metro needs to be carried out through multiple stages using comprehensive survey technology to find out its characteristics, properties and hazards. After investigation and analysis, the Karst weak development of the Dahegeng Station of Kunming metro Line 4~Datangzi Station Section, Chenggong East Station(including)~Kunming South Railway Station Section, Liandajie Station~Chenggong East Station Section, Bailongtan parking lot and the Karst middle development of the entrance and exit section line, The Karst section of Jindingshan Station~Xiaocaiyuan Station developed strongly. Line 4 is covered Karst. Karst mainly develops in the 15m range below the base rock surface, and is dominated by filled caves with a height of 0.5~3.0m. The average hole rate of boreholes is 21%, and the average line Karst rate is 3.29%.The Karst area is divided into stable area, sub-unstable area and unstable area. Karst management should adopt corresponding treatment principles and engineering measures for different engineering types and Karst characteristics. Karst treatment generally adopts grouting reinforcement measures. For Karst with a small buried depth, excavation to expose backfill grouting can be used for reinforcement treatment. The pile foundation needs to pass through the Karst and be placed in the lower stable strata. This paper has some guidance for the Karst survey and treatment of metro in Kunming.

River–groundwater connectivity in a karst system, Wellington, New South Wales, Australia

The characterization of river–aquifer connectivity in karst environments is difficult due to the presence of conduits and caves. This work demonstrates how geophysical imaging combined with hydrogeological data can improve the conceptualization of surface-water and groundwater interactions in karst terrains. The objective of this study is to understand the association between the Bell River and karst-alluvial aquifer at Wellington, Australia. River and groundwater levels were continuously monitored, and electrical resistivity imaging and water quality surveys conducted. Two-dimensional resistivity imaging mapped the transition between the alluvium and karst. This is important for highlighting the proximity of the saturated alluvial sediments to the water-filled caves and conduits. In the unsaturated zone the resistivity imaging differentiated between air- and sediment-filled karst features, and in the saturated zone it mapped the location of possible water- and sediment-filled caves. Groundwater levels are dynamic and respond quickly to changes in the river stage, implying that there is a strong hydraulic connection, and that the river is losing and recharging the adjacent aquifer. Groundwater extractions (1,370 ML, megalitres, annually) from the alluvial aquifer can cause the groundwater level to fall by as much as 1.5 m in a year. However, when the Bell River flows after significant rainfall in the upper catchment, river-leakage rapidly recharges the alluvial and karst aquifers. This work demonstrates that in complex hydrogeological settings, the combined use of geophysical imaging, hydrograph analysis and geochemical measurements provide insights on the local karst hydrology and groundwater processes, which will enable better water-resource and karst management.

Proposals for integrating karst aquifer evaluation methodologies into national environmental legislations

Characterization of karst aquifers in order to reduce the impacts of human activities on these vital groundwater resources poses a significant challenge for scientists, land managers and policy makers. Methods and criteria for improvement of karst management have been suggested by the scientific community in order to assure the preservation of karst groundwater resources. However, these methods are rarely integrated into national groundwater protection policies. A case-based study of a swine confined animal feeding operation sited on mantled karst terrain in the southern Ozark Highlands in the State of Arkansas, United States of America helped illustrate why karst-specific evaluation methods should be implemented in national legislation. Through the review of the area’s geomorphology and hydrogeology, dye tracer test results, and existing state and federal legislation and permitting processes for confined animal feeding operations, proposed improvements to existing legislation for confined animal feeding operations were developed. The study provides an example of how integrating science into policy-making can enhance protection of valuable groundwater resources.

Tropical Karst Management and Agricultural Development: Example from Bohol, Philippines

Tropical karst environments are critically sensitive and thus require careful management. For over four centuries farmers on the Philippine island of Bohol have adapted a karst environment to a sus...

Tropical Karst Management and Agricultural Development: Example from Bohol, Philippines

Tropical Karst Management and Agricultural Development: Example from Bohol, Philippines